Store wall furniture



June 1953 A. VANDERVELD ET AL 2,643,170

' STORE WALL FURNITURE Filed July 10, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet l 1 m Ammom' VANDERVELD E5 EHAmEs F. Lac-HE AT'mRNEYs;

J1me 1953 A. VANDERVELD ETAL 2,643,170

STORE WALL FURNITURE 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 10, 1950 Wvmmp,

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Av'roamws (Is-mam June 23, 1953 A. VANDERVELD ETAL 2,643,170

STORE WALL FURNITURE Filed July 10, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet a iuvem'oas ANTHONY VANDERVELD F6141 CHARLES Leena A'rroznevs J 1953 A. VANDERVELD ETAL 2,643,170

STORE WALL FURNITURE Filed July 10, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 I v \nvsm'oas 'F I h I ANTHONY VANDERVELD 31 CHARLES F. LOGIE 06" W ATTORNEYS June 23, 1953 A. VANDERVELD ETAL 2,643,170

STORE WALL FURNITURE Filed July 10, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 iwvamoms Amumw Vmomvew (IHARLm F: LfilE x "rmawzw June 23, 1953 A. VANDERVELD ETAL 7 STORE WALL FURNITURE Filed. July 10, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 ANTHONY Vmnwwm *QHARLESWF Lama.

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STORE WALL FURNITURE Filed July 10, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 lnvznwas ANTHONY VANDERVELD CHARLES F. Loan-z ATTORNEYS June 23, 1953 STORE WALL FURNITURE 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July 10, 1950 \NVENTORS I TTORNEYS June 23, 1953 VANDERVELD ETAL, 2,643,170

STORE WALL FURNITURE Filed July 10, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 iwsm'oas MWMMY Vmwmvzw fi mmwm FY Lame M i? W Awmwmaw Patented June 23, 1953 STORE WALL FURNITURE Anthony Vanderveld and Charles F. Logic, Grand Rapids, Mich, assignors to Grand Rapids Store Equipment Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., a

corporation of Michigan Application July 10, 1950, Serial No. 172,874

This invention relates to store furniture structure, and is more particularly directed to novel and practical display structure, which may take the form of wall display cases located in a store against the store walls or, in a lower height, back to back at the interior of the store, which may have either glass or wood tops, may have the structureopen between its ends and at the front except for dividing pilasters, and such pilasters serve as supporting means for horizontal shelves at the front edges of said shelves, with suitable back posts for supporting the shelves at the rear, and the furniture may be supplied with a top or such top may be omitted. At the front of the case structure, which will include a top and bottom, back and ends, a carrying means for sliding doors for closing the case at the front and to gain access may be used, and, in general, because of the novel foundation structure which we have provided, substantially all accessories in the way of containing drawers, shelves, open or closed fronts and the like for the holding or storage or display of merchandise in a department store may be provided in a very practical and economical manner. The great variety of arrangements which may be made and built upon the foundation structure permits the equipment of a store for substantially all conditions and circumstances with which the store may be confronted, for the holding, display and sale of merchandise.

In the embodiment of our invention, many novel structural arrangements and connection of parts are provided for attaining the desired holding and display of merchandise for sale in a most economical manner, and with the parts readily shipped in a disassembled condition and quickly assembled at a place where the store furniture is to beused. The lay-out of a floor of a store with such furniture may be greatly varied, because of the numerous structural assemblies which are available with our invention. And all of such structural assemblies have an attractive appearance.

An understanding of the invention for the at- 13 Claims. (Cl. 312-103) Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section, substantially on the plane of line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing two of such post and bottom support units in spaced apart relation, as they are initially set up at the beginning of an assembly.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower part of a back'pos't and the bottom support with the associated bottom to be connected therewith shown fragmentarily at one end portion thereof.

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentarylongitudinal sections through the bottom of two adjacent case units on the planes of lines 8--8 and 9-9, respectively, of Fig. 10.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view, similar to Fig. 6, showing the spaced apart back post and bottom supporting units, with bottom members assembled therewith.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section from front to back through a back post, substantially on the plane of line ll-ll of Fig. 13, with back panel retaining members, one used with each post, assembled with the post Fig. 12 is an elevation of a retaining hook member used in the detachable connection of the back panel holders to the post.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary horizontal section, substantially on the'plane of line |3--l3 of Fig. 11,

' with back panels assembled.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view, similar to Figs. 6 and 10, illustrating the succeeding step of assembly, that of connecting the back panels in place,

showing one in its assembled position and antainment of the results stated may be had from other indicated in the process of assembling.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing an assembled store furniture structure without top, with shelves spaced above the bottom and supported at their fronts by short pilasters.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary somewhat enlarged perspective view showing a top rail which is assembled with and connected at the upper edges of theback panels in the structure shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary vertical section from front. to back of the back post, with the top rail connected thereto.

Fig. 18 isa horizontal section, substantially on the plane of line l8l8 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary horizontal section, from front to rear, substantially on the plane of line |9 -l9 of Fig. 20, illustrating the filler between the adjacent ends of the upper shelving members, serving as a tie connection between a .55 back post and associated front pilaster.

Fig. is a horizontal section substantially on the plane of line 20-20 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view, in disassembled relation, of such filler and tie member, the upper end of the short front pilaster associated therewith, and the filler plug used at the upper end of each front pilaster in the structure shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 22 is a horizontal fragmentary vertical section, substantially on the plane of line 22--22 of Fig. 19, longitudinally of the structure shown in Fig. 15 at the upper end of the front pilaster, illustrating the shelf supports at their front edge portions.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing, the case structure supplied at the front with a sliding door supporting frame.

Fig. 24 in side elevation illustrates the tie member used between the back post and the short front supporting pilaster, at intermediate positions between the end of the assembled case, used in assembling the sliding door carrying frame.

Fig. 25 shows, disassembled in perspective, the

tie member of Fig. 24, the adjacent ends of the sections of the lower member of the sliding. door carrying frame, and the upper end of the supporting pilaster as used in. the structure shown in Fig. 23.

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary front elevation, with some parts in section, showing a top in the first step of its assembly with each unit of. the furniture.

Fig. 27 shows such stop in a further succeeding step of such assembly, and in its horizontal position.

Fig. 28 is a similar front elevation with the top in its final position. completely assembled with the Other parts.

Fig. 29 is a vertical section from front to rear through the upper part of the case with the top in place, and with its securing means in side elevation, taken on the plane of line 29-29 of Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary horizontal section, substantially on the plane of line 30-30 of Fig. 29.

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the top at one end in assembled position and secured in place, the supporting rails for the ends of the top in Fig. 31 being modified slightly from the like supporting means in the structure shown in Figs. 26 to 30 inclusive.

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the releasable locking bar used to hold the top at its ends in assembled relation.

Fig. 33 is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of a back post and the end supporting rail permanently secured thereto, such end supporting rails being used for carrying the ends of the top sections.

Fig. 34 is a fragmentary vertical section substantially on the plane of line 34-34 of Fig. 33.

Fig. 35 in separated condition, in perspective shows fragmentary portions of twobottom members end to end, the vertical pilaster used and the structure at the upper ends of the pilaster to be associated and assembled therewith at the front end of the top supporting members, together with fragmentary end portions of connecting horizontal rails between the front ends of the pilasters used when a glass top is to be provided, instead of a wood top as in Figs. 26, 27, 28 and 31.

Fig. 36 is a perspective view of a somewhat different form at the front end of such carrying members for the ends of the top sections and the front members which may be used for the structure shown in Fig. 35.

Fig. 37 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating an assembled structure having bottom, back panel, top, front pilaster' and a vertical dividing panel between the front pilaster and the back post.

Fig. 38 is a fragmentary plan view of a section of the assembled furniture in which a glass top instead of a wood top is used.

Fig. 39 is a fragmentary vertical section from front to rear, substantially on the plane of line 38-39, of Fig. 3.8.

Fig. 40 is a fragmentary longitudinal section adjacent ends of two glass top sections and the supports therefor, substantially on the plane of line 4ll-40 of Fig. 39, and

Fig. 41 is a fragmentary horizontal section, substantially on. the plane of line 4I-4I of: Fig. 39.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the. drawings, and the sections are taken looking in the directions indicated by the arrows associated with the respective section lines.

In the structures illustrating a preferred embodiments of our invention, vertical back posts are used which are of a special structure. The posts are hollow having spaced vertical sides I which are integrally connected at their front edges by a web structure which, midway between the edges, is formed into a forwardly projecting rib 2 of channel cross section form, from the front edges of the sides of which short sections 3 extend outwardly in opposite directions and integrally connect with angularly disposed short sections 4 which, in turn, are integral with the front edges of the sides I. At each side of the forwardly projecting channel rib 2 the sections 3 are pierced with a plurality of vertically spaced openings 5, such openings extending from the bottom to nearly the top of the post, while above the uppermost of said slots 5 (Fig. 2) horizontal slots 5a are cut, one at each side of the rib 2, as shown.

At the lower end of each post a horizontal bottom supporting member is located. It is made from fiat metal in a generally inverted channel form, having spaced apart sides 6, which preferably converge forwardly, and a top web I. The web is cut away at its rear portion so that extensions 6a of the sides 6 come against the outer sides I of the post and are welded thereto. In the sides 6 horizontal slots 8, near the lower edges of such sides, are cut as shown in Figs. 1 and 7. The back of the post is closed by a shallow channel 9 of metal, of heavier gauge than the remaining metal of the post, which is permanently secured in place. The slots 8 are for the detachable connection therewith of anchoring brackets I0 (Fig. 5) which at their upper ends have inwardly curved portions to pass through said slots and at their lower ends horizontal legs through which screws may pass for anchoring to the floor (Figs. 5 and 6).

Such posts in the assembly of any of the store furniture are secured to the floor of the room where the furniture is to be assembled as shown in Fig. 6, being spaced apart a standard distance which is governed by the length of the bottom members which are to be horizontally disposed between their supporting members and rest at their ends upon the upper web 1. Such webs 1 are provided with two slots II and I2 near the back post (Fig. '7) which are narrow in width and overlap each other at adjacent ends, such slots II and I2 being offset with respect to each other as shown.

A bottom section [3, generally of wood or similar material and of rectangular form, is assembled with the two supports therefor, one each at the lower end of the back posts. The bottom section l3, at its rear edge, has a strip l4 connected thereto or it may be machined to provide the equivalent of such strip projecting to the rear, at the back side of which a bar I5 is permanently secured shortened at each end to be less in length than the section l3, so that when assembled the ends of the bars I5 will come adjacent the opposite sides of the back post. This provides a groove l6 open at its upper side at the back of each of the bottom sections l3.

At each end of each section I3 and at its under side, a flat bar IT is secured by screws. Such bars I! at their outer ends have turned down tongues I8. Of course the bar I! may extend the full length and have each end provided with a tongue I8. Such tongues at adjacent ends of two bottom sections [3 (Fig. 10) enter theslots l I and I2.

Toward the front edge and at each end of each bottom member I3, a metal member is permanently secured having a horizontal leg l9 (Fig. '7) through which screws pass into the section l3, and a downwardly extending leg 2|. At the outer ends of the legs l9 and 2! tongues 2|) and 22 are bent as shown in Fig. 7, the tongue in a downward direction and tongue 22 to the rear. Such tongues are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a side 6 of a bottom support. When the tongue I8 is received in its slot II, the tongue 20 will come against the outer side of the adjacent side 6 and the tongue 22 be inserted in the open outer end of the bottom supporting member and bear against the inner side of such side 6. The end of the adjacent bottom section [3, which extends away from the first described section, will have its tongue I8 enter the slot l2 while the tongues 20 and 22 will engage the opposite side 6 of the support for such bottom sections. Each bottom section at each end, ashort distance back of its front edge, is formed with a notch or recess 23 so that when two bottom sections are assembled end to end (Fig. 35), the recesses 23 therein will provide a rectangular vertical opening as shown.

With the bottom sections l3 assembled as shown in Fig. 10 and, preferably, each bottom section at its under side carrying a rail I3a (Fig. 15) which at each end will close one-half of the open ends of the inverted channel bottom supports (such rail being shown in Fig. 15), the next parts added are the back panels, vertically positioned to extend between successive posts and be detachably secured thereto.

To accomplish this, back panel holding members are used, one at the front side of each of the back posts, extending from adjacent the lower end of each post nearly to the top. Such back panel holders are made from a length of sheet metal pressed into form, as best shown in Fig. 20, with a central channel section 24 which covers and embraces the rib 2 of the back post, its sides being continued and forming a part of other channels 25 which terminate in laterally extending flanges 26. The channels 25 are open at the front and the flanges 26 are spaced from the front edges of the sides I of the back post a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the back panels which are used. Such back panels may be of any suitable material. To secure such back panel holding member to a post, a number of readily applied and readily removed holding clips, shown in Figs. 11 and 12, are used for insertion through the openings 21 in the webs of the channels 25, such openings being in conjunction with the openings 5 in the sections 3 of the back post. The clips used comprise each a generally rectangular body 28 of fiat metal, from the rear edge of which a hook 29 extends, and such clips may also have an integral finger 30 extend ing therefromeach at its front edge (Fig. 11). By use of a suitable plier indicated in dash lines in Fig. 11, a holding clip may have its hook 25 inserted through two openings 21 and 5 in conjunction with each other and the hook forced downwardly. When the clips are supplied with the integral fingers 30, such fingers will be spaced from each other lengthwise of the back post and in pairs project a short distance forward from the front sides of such panel holding members.

The back panels 3| are of rectangular form, fiat, and of a thickness such that their lower edges enter the grooves [6 at the rear portions of the'bottom sections I 3. The panel is placed with its lower edge portion in a groove and swung back until its vertical edge portions come against the junction bend between the sides I and the sections 4 of the back posts. (Fig. 20.) The holding members are then applied and secured in place by use of the clips 28 and their hooks 29. The terminal flanges 26 which are inclined at an acute angle to the vertical plane of the back panel are brought to'and press against the vertical edge portions of the panels. Such flanges are capable of yielding so that the vertical edge portions of the back panels are snugly held in place by yield ing pressure.

In some installations front pilasters are used for the full height of the structure which is to be assembled. In others shorter length front pilasters are used. The "pilasters are made from sheet metal (Fig. 5), bent and formed to have two spaced apart sides 32, integrally connected at their front edges by a connecting web 33. They bend inwardly toward each other into contact as at 34, and continue in spaced, separated short side sections 35 which provide a receiving fork, the full length of a pilaster, for the front edge of an end panel 35 of an assembled case or a dividing panel divide the space intermediate the ends. The rear end portions of the end or division vertical panels-36 are received between the pairs of spaced projecting ears 3d of the described clips which are shown in Fig. 11, and further in Fig. 1d, projecting forward a sufficient distance that the. rear vertical edge portions of the end or division panels are received between them. In the contacting short portions at 34, close vertically spaced slots H are out which, as later described in cooperation with the slots 5, are used to receive suitable projections on horizontal shelves for mounting such shelves at desired adjusted position above the bottom section I3 and below the hereafter described tops.

Such pilasters, in their full length, are formed with means for detachably connecting them at both their upper and lower ends. The lower ends are connected with the bottom sections I3 and the upper ends with overhead structure later to be described, and when connected are firmly secured against removal until disconnection is wanted. As shown in Fig. 35, a side 32 of the pilaster, near its upper and lower ends has vertically located key-hole slots 39. A look, including two spaced apart rectangular plates 39 secured between which are two narrower plates 40, and which project beyond the plates 39, are used, the dimensions and the location of the plates 39 being such that they may be entered into the upper and lower ends of the pilaster. Screws 4! pass through the key-hole slots and thread into the plates 39 and 49. When such screws are partially withdrawn, as at the lower end of the pilaster in Fig. 35, the locking tongue provided by the projecting ends of the plates 40 may be moved to be wholly housed within, the pilaster. Upon the lower end of the pilaster being moved to proper position, so that the downwardly extending locking tongue at 49 is over the rectangular opening 23, such tongue 40 may be moved downwardly into the opening and the, screw 4| then driven home until its head enters the enlarged lower end of the key-hole slot 38. In the same manner the upper holding and looking member may be moved upwardly to engage with upper structure hereafter described to releasably lock the upper end of the pilaster in place and against movement.

When the shorter pilasters are used, and do not extend the full height of the store furniture structure which is to be assembled, the same connecting and securing means is used as in Fig. 35 at the lower end, but a different structure is used at the upper end which will be later described.

In Fig. 15, a store furniture structure is shown which includes the bottom sections l3 and back panels 3|, and the back posts and bottom supports used therewith, and also horizontal shelving supported at the front by short pilasters, but with no top. At the upper end of each of the back panels 3|, an upper panel and back post, a member of sheet metal is located and releasably secured in place. In structure it comprises an inverted elongated channel of sheet metal having an upper web 42 (Fig. 16) with downwardly extending spaced apart flanges 43. The front flange 43 terminates at its lower edge in a short rearwardly turned horizontal lip. At the inner side of the front flange 43 an elongated Z-bar 44 is permanently secured by welding one ver- I tical flange against the rear side of the flange the other flange or leg being spaced from and extending downwardly for the reception of the upper edge of a back panel 3| between the lower flange of the Z-bar and the lip at the lower edge of the front flange 43. Adjacent each end of the web 42 an inverted U-shaped clip having spaced sides 45 and an upper connecting web 46 is welded (Fig. 17), so located that one of the downwardly extending sides will bear against the inner side of a side I of the associated back post (Fig. 16).

A locking or retaining bolt 41 is slidably mounted at the underside of the web 46 and has a screw 48 connected therewith, the shank and head of which, as shown in Fig. 17, pass through slots in the webs 46 and 42. Such bolt is adapted to be moved so that its front end of reduced size may pass through a slot a (Fig. 2) above the slots 5 in a section 3 at the front of a back post. The screw 48 is then tightened to securely hold the looking or retaining bolt in operative position. Releasing the screw will permit backward movement of the bolt 41 when disconnection of this upper member at the upper edge of each back panel 3| is wanted.

The spacing of extending legs is such that two of such channels may enter the upper end of a back post, one toward each side thereof, so that the adjacent ends of the horizontal upper border-members of the panels may both be connected to a common back post.

The shelving sections 49 (Fig. 15) are of a length to extend between successive spaced back posts. Each shelf section at each end at its rear has a flat horizontal bar I5 permanently connected and preferably inset in the adjacent end of the shelf. Back of the rear edge of the shelf bar 50 (Fig. 19), is formed into an irregularly shaped shallow hook finger 5|, the free end por tion of which may pass through two aligned openings 21 and 5 in a section 3 and a back panel retaining member at the front of a back post for supporting the shelf 49 at its rear. At the front (Fig. 22), each shelf is supported by a bar 52 at its under side terminating beyond each end of each shelf in a hook structure 53, as shown, adapted to pass through openings 31 adjacent the upper end of the short pilaster which is used (in Fig. 15), which openings 31 where the hooks 53 pass therethrough are of a width so that two of the hooks 53 on the bars 52 at the adjacent ends of the shelves 49 may pass by each other. Of course it is evident that other shelves below the shelves 49 shown in Fig. 15, if wanted, may be carried by the back posts and the front pilasters, between the upper shelves shown in Fig. 15, and the bottom sections 13 below.

Such shelf sections at adjacent ends are spaced from each other a distance as shown in Fig. 22. A filler for such space, which is an elongated horizontal groove, is provided, the structure of which is best shown in Fig. 21. Such filler is made of sheet metal in inverted channel form, as indicated at 54, the rear ends of the sides terminating in outwardly flared ears 55 slotted from the lower edges upwardly so as to receive the upper edge portions of the bars 59 connected at the ends of the shelves 49. At the front end of the inverted channel filler 54, the depending side flanges thereof are cut away leaving only the upper web, which bears against the upper end of the short pilaster, shown separated therefrom and below it in Fig. 21. The ends of the depending flanges of the filler 54 come against the spacedforks 35 of the pilaster. At the under side of the front projecting web, a tongue 56 is welded or otherwise permanently secured, to come against the front edge portions and of the parts 34 of the short pilaster.

Such short pilaster at its upper end and front portion has a part removed at the upper outer corner portion leaving a right angle recess. A plug 51 having a reduced lower end is inserted into the upper end of the pilaster at such recess, such plug having a head at its upper end of greater width, which will fill the recess which has, been made by cutting away portions of the short pilaster.

The short pilaster is also used (Fig. 23) when a frame in which sliding door closures are mounted, it to be supported at the front of an assembled case. The bottom members 58 of the frame are in alignment and come together at the upper end of the short pilaster. The vertical end members 59 of the frame member are against the ends of the case, and the upper member 60 against the top.

At the upper end of the short pilaster, the bottom members 58 of channel form serving, as guides for the sliding doors, have each a short tongue 6| at adjacent ends bent downwardly from the bottom or web of the channel 58, which is a short distance back from the ends of the sides. Each tongue is then shaped and formed to incline downwardly and to the rear, as indicated at E2. The two tongues will enter the upper end of the short pilaster (Fig. 24) to come against the inset members at 34 of the pilaster.

A tie bar between the back post and the upper end of the short pilaster is used. Such tie bar is of sheet metal of inverted channel form, shown at 63, at one side thereof, at its rear portion, a bar with a post engaging hook structure 5| is welded for connection at aligned openings 5 and 2! (Fig. 11) on the post and back panel retainer. At its forward end the tie bar 63 has a part of its depending side flanges cut away, and at the extreme front end a block 64 is permanently connected extending downwardly, from which near its lower end a horizontal finger 65 extends forward. Such finger 65 will pass underneath the projecting portions of the sides of the two abutting channel members 58 and be between the two downwardly extending lips 6!. The short pilaster is cut away at its upper outer corner the same as when used in supporting shelving as in Fig. 15, and the right angle recess left is filled by the abutting or adjacent end portions ofthe two lower sliding door frame members 58 (Fig. 24). The block 64 and the finger G5 are of a length to extend substantially across from the front 33 of the pilasterto the inset sections 35, while the ends of the flanges or sides of the members 63 abut against the edges of the sides 35. I v

In the greater proportion of display cases, shelving and the like, a top is provided, so that a case unit will include two spaced apart back posts, with bottom supporting members extending forwardly from their lower ends, a bottom section and back panel, and a horizontal top at the upper ends of the post extending forward and frequently with pilasters at the front between the bottom and top. The case units may be added to indefinitely to occupy the wholeor part of the length of a wall in a store, under which situation intermediate posts and bottom supporting members connected thereto will be between the adjacent ends of the display case units; and in'many instances, a dividing partition or panel will be between a back post and a front pilaster at the adjacent or meeting ends of the display'case units. The top of a completed installation may comprise a plurality of top sections, one for each case unit.

In Figs. 26 to 29 inclusive, such top section 63, of generally rectangular form, is provided with a horizontal slot '61 at each end between its upper and lower sides, and at its upper side, adjacent but spaced a short distance from each end, with a shallow groove 68 extending from the front to the rear edge of said top section. At the front a bar 815a, of lesser length than the length of top section 66 is permanently secured on and above the top section 66.

.When a top'is used, upper supporting structures, which are horizontal metal arms, are used, being detachably connected to the upper ends of the posts and extending forward therefrom. Each arm unit (Figs. 31 and 33) includes two angle bars, having vertical legs 69 against each other and spot welded together, which at their .13 (Fig. 33) and with an entrance slot between the inner edges of the lower legs 70. A U-shaped fixture 'M-is located at the front of said opening and extends above it, the sidesthereof embracing and being welded to the downwardly extending legs H of the second described pair of angle bars and, at their lower ends, welded or otherwise permanently secured to the horizontal legs 73 of the first described pair of angle bars. The vertical web of the fixture 14 at its upper and lower ends (Fig. 35) is provided with integral outwardly extending spaced ears 15. In the space provided by the opening at 13, the upper locking bolt projection 46 of the holding means used with the upper end of a pilaster or full vertical height is received, the same as thelower bolt projection 40 is received in the opening at 23 between the adjacent ends of two lower bottom sections l3.

At the rear end of the am thus constructed, a structure for telescopic insertion into the upper end of the hollow pass is permanently secured. It includes two vertical channels (Figs. 30 and 33) each having a rear web 1'! and spaced apart outer and inner flanges '58 and 89. The horizontal legs 10 of the first described pair of angle bars are cut away at their rear portions and the vertical legs 69 are extended downwardlyin an extension 76, lying against each other and welded together, against which the inner flanges 79 of the two] channel members described bear and are spot welded thereto, the outer flanges 18 having openings for the passage of electrodes for such welding as shown in Fig. 34.

A holding and releasing bar 80 of Z-cross section is adapted to be detachably located at each side of the horizontal arm structure which has been described, a vertical leg of each member 80 lying against vertical legs (I of the upper angle b-arsand a shorter vertical leg at the opposite edge of the web extending downwardly to be received in a groove 68 at the upper side and adjacent each end of the top section 66. The web of the Z bar 80, at'its rear end, is extending in a finger 8| to pass through the narrow horizontal opening 5a in the front sections 3 of the back post, being inserted therein and the locking bar movedto the rear until aligned openings through Z bars and the several legs 65 and II come into conjunction for the passage of bolts, shown. in Fig. 29, to secure the locking bars against movement away from their operative position.

The .vertical telescopic structure at the rear end of the armis inserted downwardly into the open upper end of a backpost, the rib 2 as shown in Fig. 33 being vertically slotted at its front side for the downward extension 16 to pass. A screw or screws 82 may be used, if desired, to releasably fasten such rear end vertical insertable portions of the top carrying arms in the post (see Figs. 29 and 30) at different levels. The back panels 3| are always of the same height and therefore it is necessary to have the arm at a higher level when using wood tops than when glass tops are used. A front bar 83 (Fig. 37) is secured to the front edge of the top section 66 and to the bar 66a secured thereto, which may be finished or given any desired design appearance and which will cover and disguise the front ends of the metal arms which support the top sections.

It is evident (Figs. 26, 27 and 28) that a top section in a position as shown in Fig. 26, is moved en'dwise and to a horizontal position, as in Fig. 2'7, engaging at one end with a leg and thereafter the back post at the opposite end of the top section 66, which has been tilted away, is moved to its vertical position to enter a leg '10 into the slot 61 at the opposite end of the lock section. Thereafter the locking and retaining bars 88 are placed and secured.

The bolts which are used to detachably secure the holding or looking bars 80 against movement may be replaced in the structure shown in Figs. 31 to 33. Instead of bolts being used, spaced retaining clips 84 are welded toward one end at opposite sides of the top carrying arm above legs 10 and below legs 12, the opposite end portions of the clips being off-set outwardly. The innervertical leg of the locking bar 88 has spaced recessed portions 85 made by removal of material of such vertical leg, sothat the holding bar may be applied by placing it with such recesses or openings 85 opposite the clips 84 and then moving the locking bar to the rear to engage f'rictionally underneath said clips and move the parts 8| rearwardly to and through the slots 5a, located close to the upper end of the back post. The horizontal legs 12 of the upper angle bars are extended rearwardly to come over the vertical channels forming a part of the telescoping vertical member which is entered into the upper end of the back post, and are welded thereto and reinforced for additional strength.

A glass top over each unit of the store furniture may be used in place of wood or other tops of similar material. In Figs. 38 and 39 a back supporting member extends between successive back posts, having a horizontal web 86 with an upwardly turned lip 81 at its rear edge, and being provided with a down turned flange 43, like the flange in the structure "shown in Fig. 16, with which is associated Z-bar 44 for receiving the upper end of back panel 3|. At the front a detachable front bar of sheet metal of generally channel form is detachably connected, having a vertical web 88 and upper and lower rearwardly extending flanges 89. The web 88 at each'end is slightly extended and formed with pintle receiving loops 90, which are insertable between the ears at the front end of each of the overhead arms, through which ea'rs and the loops a pin Si is passed, thereby detachably connecting the front member in place. The web 88 at its front face will have the finishing bar 83 secured thereto, the endsof successive bars 83 being substantially in abutting contact. A plate glass top 92 is carried at its rear on the web 86 and engages at its rear edge against the lip 81, which will at its front edge engage against the upper end portion of the front finishing bar 83 (Fig. 39). n

In Fig. 36, instead of using the U-shaped clip 14 and the ears 15, the front ends of the legs 49 are formed into projections 83 of generally shallow Ushape form in opposition to each other, and each end of the web 88 is made into a return bent loop 94 engageable with the parts 63 by sliding them downwardly therein through the slot between the free edges of the parts 93. This 12 provides an equivalent structure for supporting the glass top 92. Such top, as shown in Fig. 40, at its end edges comes against the upwardly projecting portions of the legs 49 (Fig. 40) and rests upon fillers lying above the horizontal legs 12.

The locking and retaining members 88 and their holding clips 84 are eliminated when glass tops are used. The channels provided by the legs 10 and I2 and the vertical legs 69 may be closed by channel shaped closures 95 (Fig. '40) secured in place, lengthwise of and within which lighting wires 96 may lead to a front lighting unit, generally indicated at 91 in Fig. 39, which may be mounted at the back of the front member between the upper and lower flanges 89 thereof. The current carrying wires 96 (Fig. 41) lead to the back of the case and thence outwardly through an armored conduit therefor to any suitable source of electric current.

With the structure described, a great variety of assembled structures to be used as store furniture may be made, all having an essential structural foundation, includingthe back posts, back panel holders and retainers, bottom sections and supports therefor connected to the back post, detachable pilasters and, in most cases, the overhead horizontal arms detachably connected to the upper ends of the post and extending forwardly therefrom for mounting tops, either of wood or glasss. With the use of selected pilasters substantially all the standard mechandise holding and display structures may be made. The back posts and front pilasters are utilized as supports for horizontal shelves, as many as may be wanted adjustable to different positions. A display case unit with glass sliding doors to close its open side may be provided by using the proper accessories for such structure. V

The invention is very practical and useful and may be economically produced. Economy is enhanced by reason of the fact that all of the different structures which may be assembled have many elements in common, so that large quantity production of standardized parts is had. The structure is sturdy and rigid when assembled. Any assembly which is to be made is accomplished quickly and easily.

The invention is defined'in the appended claims and is to be considered comprehensive of all forms of structure coming within their scope.

We claim:

1. In store furniture, a hollow vertical post generally rectangular in cross section, a horizontal inverted channel member secured permanently to the lower end portion of the post and extending forward therefrom, a second like post and forwardly extending lower member spaced from the first post and member, the upper sides of each of said lower horizontal members having slots adjacent the fronts of said posts, and said lower horizontal members being open at their outer ends, a bottom section horizontally located and extending between and resting at its end portions upon the upper sides of said horizontal members, said bottom member at each end and at its under side, forward of the rear edge of the bottom member, having a downwardly extending tongue and a horizontal extension therefrom under the bottom member permanently secured thereto, said tongues being received in said slots in the lower horizontal members secured to the posts, and said bottom member at its under side, at each end having an angle bar secured thereto, with an upper horizontal leg and downwardly extending vertical leg, the outer end '61 said horizontal leg terminating in a downwardly extending tongue and the outer end of the vertical leg in a rearwardly extending tongue'to embrace a side of said horizontal ,member at the lower end of the post, the first tongue at the outer side thereof and the second tongue at the inner side thereof at its outer open end.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, said bottom member at its rear edge portion, having a longitudinal. groove at its upper side, a back panel seated at its lower edge in said groove, extending upwardly and having vertical edge-portions against the fronts of said posts, elongated vertical retaining members of sheet metal detachably secured one at the front side of each post overlapping the vertical edge portions of said back panel atthe front thereof, and means for detachably securing said back panel retaining members to their respective posts.

3. In store furniture, a plurality of vertical hollow back posts open at their upper ends, bottom supporting members secured one at the lower end portion of each post extending horizontally forward therefrom, a bottom section between each two consecutive bottom' supporting members resting at their ends thereon, means for detachably connecting said bottom sections at their ends to said forwardly extending members, the ends of successive bottom sections resting upon one of said members being in abutting engagement, an upper arm for each post extending horizontally therefrom at the upper end of each post, a vertical downwardly extending structure at the rear end of each of said arms slidably entering the open end of its associated post, said arm extending forward over and parallel to the bottom supporting member at the lower end of the post, each of said arms at its forward end having an upwardly extending vertical socket therein open at its lower end, a hollow pilaster between the outer portion of eacharm and the abutting ends of bottom sections below, the said bottom sections at abutting ends having vertical openings, and slidable locking means at the ends of each of said'hollow pilasters, retractable into the pilaster and movable to enter said recess between the ends of abutting bottom sections, and the sockets in the associated arms thereabove.

4. A structure as defined in claim 3, said slidably mounted locking members each comprising, a movable bolt one at each end of and slidable into said hollow pilaster at its upper and lower ends, said pilaster in a side thereof, adjacent its upper and lower ends, having key-hole slots, and screws passing through said slots into said bolts, said screws having heads adapted to be received in the larger ends of said key-hole slots.

5. In a structure as described, a hollow vertical back post, a forwardly extending member at the lower end of said post permanently secured thereto adapted to have a horizontal bottom member rest thereon at one of its ends, an upper horizontal arm comprising two angle bars having vertical legs lying against each other and permanently secured together, and oppositely extending horizontal flanges at the lower edges of said vertical legs, said horizontal flanges being shortened in length at their rear portions, and said vertical legs having downward extensions at their rear portions adapted to enter the open upper end of the post, and fillers of sheet metal of channel cross section secured one to the outer side of each of said downward extensions, said channels having outer sides lying against the inner sides of the sides of said hollow post.

6. A structure as defined in claim 3, and a top member,-horizontally located, having a longiing bar being of substantially Z-cross section having a horizontal web, and a vertical flange atone edge of the web located against said ver tical leg of the angle bar of said arm, and a short downwardly extending leg at-the other edge of said web, said top having a groove in itsupper side from its front to its rear edge receiving said last mentioned leg, and said web being continued at its rear end portion to form an integral finger, the post at its front side and closely adjacen its upper end having a horizontal slotthrough which said finger passes, and means for releasably securing said holding bar to said arm.

8. In store furniture, a plurality of bottom members in alignment and in end to end contact,

a hollow back post at eaohjuncture of meeting ends of said bottom members, a horizontal support for the adjacentends of bottom members permanently secured to and extending forward from each post, vertical back panels between successive posts, vertically positioned members, one at the front of each back post extending lengthwise thereof detachably connected thereto, each having laterally extending flanges spaced forwardlyfrom the back post, between which and the back post the back panels are held, and upper members extending between successive back posts, each at each end having a part attached thereto extending into the open upper end of the back post to fill substantially onehalf .of the opening therein, movable locking bolts mounted one at each end of said upper members movable into and out of engagement with the back post, and means carried by said upper members to receive the upper edge portion of a back panel.

9. In store furniture, a plurality of generally rectangular horizontal bottom members located in alignment in end to end contact, a hollow vertical back post at the rear and at the meeting ends of said bottom members, a support for the meeting ends of said bottom members attached to each back post extending forwardly underneath said meeting ends, a top carrying arm at the upper end of each post having, at its rear end, a downward extension telescopically received into the open upper end of the post, a vertical pilaster between the outer endportion of each of said arms and the meeting ends of two bottom members, means for detachably locking the pilaster in place, said pilaster having a plurality of vertically spaced aligned openings therethrough from one side to the other, and said back post having a plurality of vertically aligned spaced openings in the front thereof, a horizontal shelf carried by two back posts and two pilasters, said self at its ends having rearwardly extending members to enter the openings in the back post and, adjacent its front edge and at each end, longitudinally extending members to enter the openings in the pilasters.

10. A structure as defined in claim 9, each of said front pilasters, back of the vertically spaced openings therein, having two spaced apart rearwardly projecting sides, between which the front edge of a division partition is adapted to be re- '15 ceived, and members secured to the back post in openings thereof vertically aligned and spaced from each other in two vertical series, between which the rear edge portions of the division partition may be received.

11. In a structure as described, a plurality of horizontal, generally rectangular bottom members located in abutting end to end engagement, a supporting member underneath the abutting ends of the bottom members upon which the end portions of adjacent bottom members rest, a hollow back post permanently secured at the rear end of each supporting member extending upwardly, the fronts of said back posts each having two spaced vertical series of closely spaced openings therethrough, back panels between adjacent posts having vertical edge portions bearing against the fronts of the posts, back panel holding members one at the front of each post extending lengthwise thereof having openings aligned with the openings in the front of the post with which associated and having laterally extending flanges spaced from the fronts of the posts, between which and the posts the vertical edges of the back panels are received, and connecting members passing through selected aligned openings of the back panel holding members and the fronts of the posts, for releasably connecting said members to the posts, said conecting members having forwardly extending projections in two vertical series spaced from each other adapted to have the rear vertical edge portion of a division partition received therebetween.

12. In store furniture, a hollow vertical post, a member of sheet metal of inverted channel form firmly secured to and extending forwardly from the lower end of the post, said post at its front having a centrally disposed forwardly projecting vertical rib between the opposite sides of the post adapted to provide a vertical edge stop for a vertical back panel, the front of the post, at each side of said rib, having a plurality of spaced openings therethrough in vertical alignment at the front of the post, the upper side of said inverted channel member adjacent the post having openings therein adapted to receive connecting and locating means on a bottom section at an end thereof, a member of sheet metal located against a front side of the post extending vertically from adjacent said lower inverted channel member nearly to but short of the upper end of the post, said member having a central longitudinal portion embracing the rib of the post, and portions at each side of said central portion bearing against the of the post, thence extending forwardly and terminating in laterally turned flanges, said flanges and portions of the post back thereof providing longitudinal back panel receiving grooves, and means i'nsertable through selected openings of said post front and said member for detachably connecting the front of the post and said member together.

13. In store furniture. a vertical post, a horizontal bottom member of sheet metal of inverted channel form having spaced vertical sides integral with which is an upper connectin portion, a part of said upper connecting portion at the rear end of the member being removed for the reception of the lower 'end of the post between said sides, said sides at the rear end of the bottom member being permanently secured to the adjacent sides of the post, the front of the post at each side of the vertical median line thereof having a plurality of spaced openings therethrough, the openings at each side of the post being in vertical alignment, a member of sheet metal located against the front side of the post, extending from adjacent said channel member approximately to the upper end of the post, portions at each side of the central vertical median line having openings therein aligned with the openings in the front of the post, the vertical edge portions of said sheet metal member terminating in flanges spaced from the front of the post, said flanges and portions of the post back providing vertically positioned back panel receiving grooves, and means inserted through selected openings of said post front and sheet metal member for detachably connecting the post and said sheet metal member together.

ANTHONY VANDERVELD. CHARLES F. LOGIE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STAT-ES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,335,842 Lambert Apr. 6, 1920 1,314,090 Mi'call'y July '14, 1931 1,836,901 Caldwell Dec. 15, 1931 1,938,450 Eustls L Dec. 5, 1933 2,169,388 Ingram Aug. 15, 1939 2,205,083 Douglas June 18, 1940 2,240,086 Adler Apr. 29, 1941 2,296,782 Fischer Sept. 22, 1942 2,464,470 Vanderveld Mar. 15, 1949 2,489,493 Kuenzie Nov. 29, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 178,984 Great Britain May 4, 1922 

